35 



average did not exceed the latter figures during the 

 reign of Charles II., the annual income during that 

 period being only about £8, most of which was derived 

 from the fees paid by new members and fines for non- 

 observance of the Ordinances. In 1695 and 1703 the 

 total receipts were under ^5. In 1726, however, the 

 Hall was let to Nathaniel Day (afterwards Alderman) 

 at £6 a year, and the Company appear to have spent 

 their enlarged funds in drinkings and festivities. The 

 accounts from this time were most imperfectly kept, and 

 became worse as time went on. There is no record 

 whatever for the years between 1770 and 1783, and 

 another hiatus occurs from 1786 to 1791. The Company, 

 in fact, was gradually dying out. In 1794 the receipts 

 for rent (Hallage had been long abolished) were^6 15s., 

 the whole of which was divided amongst the three 

 surviving members ; and the same men received £2 15s. 

 each as the proceeds of 1795 and 1796, and £2 each for 

 those of 1797. The Hall had then been converted into 

 stables ; and as the accounts end abruptly at this point, 

 it may be safely surmised that the three survivors sold 

 the property and retained the purchase money. 



There are in the two volumes a great number 

 of entries relating to the binding of apprentices, but 

 these add nothing to the information recorded in the 

 Apprentice Rolls in the Council House. 



